Hearing the words of his ministers about the need to bring the powerful sage Rishyasringa, the king grew anxious, wondering how such an ascetic could be persuaded to come. After careful deliberation with his trusted advisors, the wise king decided to send his priests and counselors—treating them with great respect—to approach the sage. Yet, when these men heard the king’s command, they were troubled and hesitant, bowing their heads in fear of the sage’s formidable power. They tried to persuade the king against this course, but after further consideration, they assured him, “We will bring the sage here, and there will be no fault in this.” Thus, by the efforts of the king of Anga, Rishyasringa, the son of the sage Vibhandaka, was brought to the kingdom with the help of courtesans. After his arrival, rain fell upon the land, and the king’s daughter, Shanta, was given to Rishyasringa in marriage. Rishyasringa thus became the king’s son-in-law, and it was foretold that he would grant the king sons—just as the sage Sanatkumara had declared. Delighted by this tale, King Dasharatha turned to Sumantra and asked, “Tell me in detail by what means Rishyasringa was brought here.” Sumantra respectfully replied, “Hear from me, along with the ministers, exactly how Rishyasringa was brought to the kingdom.” Romapada, the king of Anga, together with his ministers and priest, devised a plan that was both safe and blameless. They knew that Rishyasringa, living in the forest devoted to austerity and study, was completely unacquainted with women, with the pleasures of the world, or any enjoyments. They resolved, “By means of sense-objects—delightful and alluring—that disturb the minds of men, we shall quickly bring him to the city.” The plan was to send beautiful courtesans, adorned with ornaments, who would use various means of persuasion to bring the sage, treating him with honor. Hearing this proposal, the king agreed, and his priest and counselors acted accordingly. The chief courtesans, having received their instructions, entered the great forest. Not far from the hermitage, they made every effort to see the young sage. Rishyasringa, steadfast and ever content with his father, never strayed far from the hermitage. From birth, this ascetic had never seen a woman, a man, or any being from the city or kingdom. The courtesans, adorned in varied attire and singing with sweet voices, approached the sage’s son and spoke to him, asking, “Who are you, O Brahmin? What are you doing here? We wish to know. You wander alone in this dreadful, deserted forest—tell us.” The women, whose forms were unlike anything he had ever seen—beautiful and alluring—stirred his heart. He resolved to tell them about his father, saying, “Our father is Vibhandaka, and I am his own son. My name and deeds are known in the world as Rishyasringa. Our hermitage is nearby, O beautiful ones. I will offer you all proper hospitality here, as is our custom.” Hearing his words, the women resolved to visit the hermitage, and so they all went there. Rishyasringa welcomed them, offering water for washing, water for their feet, and roots and fruits to eat. The women, eager but also afraid of the sage Vibhandaka, quickly decided to depart. Before leaving, they said, “O Brahmin, here are our finest fruits as well—please accept them and eat without delay.” Filled with joy, they embraced him and gave him sweet cakes and various delightful foods. Tasting these fruits, the radiant sage thought, “These are fruits,” for he had never tasted such things before, living always in the forest. After taking leave of him and telling him of their vows, the women, fearing his father’s return, departed as instructed. When the women had gone, the sage’s son, descended from Kashyapa, felt troubled and distressed. His heart unsettled, he wandered about, thinking of the visitors. The next day, the valiant son of Vibhandaka, splendid in appearance, returned to the place where he had met the women, his mind filled with longing. There, he saw the charming, well-adorned courtesans once more. Upon seeing the approaching sage, their hearts were filled with joy. They drew near and said, “Gentle one, come to our hermitage. There are many wondrous roots and fruits here, and surely a special destiny awaits you in this place.” Hearing their heartfelt words, Rishyasringa resolved to go with them, and so the women led him away. As the great-souled sage was brought towards the city, suddenly the gods showered rain, delighting the world. With the coming of the rain, the ascetic sage arrived, and the king himself went out to meet him, bowing his head to the earth in reverence. The king offered him water for hospitality and earnestly sought his favor, so that no anger might arise in the sage. With proper ceremony, the king brought Rishyasringa into the inner chambers and, with a tranquil mind, gave him his daughter Śāntā in marriage. Thus, the king attained great joy. The radiant Rishyasringa dwelled there, honored and satisfied in every way, together with his wife Śāntā.